The Writerly Ramblings of a Whimsical Bean

24 Posts and Nothing To Write

Today I realized I have 24 posts in my WordPress folder. TWENTY. FOUR. That is a TON of posts, you guys. That’s 24 things that I’ve started writing, and then just . . . stopped. For no apparent reason other than I got distracted from/bored with/forgot about the topic.

And if that doesn’t describe me in a nutshell, I really don’t know what does.

So today, I thought I’d take a moment to clean out my drafts folder. (you know. since it’s getting pretty drafty in there. aha. hahahahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. okay, i’m done. no more draft jokes) I’m tired of looking at 24 posts and having nothing to write, and I’m ready to fill this thing up with some topics that actually interest today’s me.

Of course, I won’t be going through ALL of the 24 draft topics. Some of them still look relatively interesting, and I want to hang on to a few of them for just a little bit longer. (because I am a sentimental squirrel, apparently.) But I am tossing a few posts into the trash today, so let’s talk about those, shall we?

— 24 POSTS AND NOTHING TO WRITE —

I. “Words I Despise”

Ah yes. This pretty little number was a giant conglomerate post of–surprise of all surprises–words I despise.

*mindblown*

Upon further consideration, however, it dawned on me that a full-length blog post was not necessary for this. I can give the general low-down for this most pressing topic with nothing more than a simple list:

moist

supper

flatulence

And there you go. Those are all the words I despise. Particularly that last one, if I’m being totally honest.

(also, I’m just realizing as I’m editing through this, but somehow I listed those in a very disturbing chronological order. please ignore that. XD)

II. “Truths Universally Acknowledged”

This particular post was going to be about all of the “universal truths” I’ve learned over the past few years about being a writer. When I started to write it, however, I quickly realized I know absolutely nothing.

#shocker

Anyway, basically all you need to know about this post is that having a support group (a.k.a. friends and family to help you up when you’re feeling down) is literally everything. Us writers like to pretend that we’re these lone creatures bent on wreaking havoc and destruction whilst shunning all sources of light and friendship, but in all actuality, we’re just soft little marshmallow souls who need a pat on the head and a cookie every once in a while.

So get yourself a support group and someone to give you head pats and cookies, and you’re golden, my friend.

III. “Save Jimmy: Keep Your Creative Wells Full”

^^ Literally the only post title worth writing, and I’m tossing the thing in the rubbish bin.

Ah well. The lesson for this post is simple: in order to write good books(and, most importantly, to avoid burnout)you need to be CONSUMING good books.

To take a quote directly from this post’s rather lacking outline. . .

“In order to continue creating creatively, you need to be consuming creativity. Think of your creative well like a giant stomach. In order to poop out good stuff, you need to be eating good stuff.”

And that, my friends, is the behind-the-scenes loveliness of this blog. You’re welcome.

IV. “A World Without Writers”

When I first had the idea for this post, I was EXCITED. Like not just “Oh look, there’s a bunny out in our yard” excited. I was “We’re having chocolate cake for dessert and it has your favorite vanilla icing on top!!!!!” excited.

But, as with a lot of these posts, the excitement for this topic just kind of . . . died. Because really there’s not a whole lot to say on the subject. I wrote exactly 103 words and then stopped. However, in order to show you guys the enthusiasm and professionalism I was going to try and emulate within this smudge, I’ll just pop the full 103 words in here for your perusal and–of course–judgement:

Can you imagine a world without writers?

No, really. Can you do it? Can you imagine a world in which writing simply does not exist? Where stories no longer line our shelves, where books are non-existent, and the only tales we tell are . . . nothing?

Can you imagine a world without writers? A world where the warm embrace of fiction is sharply replaced by the harsh, cold splash of reality. Where fairytales are gone, and the stories we hold so close to our hearts are nothing more than bare branches whistling in the wind?

Can you imagine a world without writers?

Because I can’t.

I mean, that final line, though, am I right? This is basically a completed post within itself. Props to you, past Kenzie.

V. “Writing Is Not Just My Hobby”

I didn’t even have anything written inside this post, you guys. Literally ALL I HAVE is the title.

So there you have it. Writing is not just my hobby. Apparently I wanted to make sure the dust bunnies in my draft folder knew this very interesting tidbit.

VI. “The One About NaNoWriMo”

So this is a relatively new addition to my drafts, and one that I very quickly realized was going nowhere. I was initially inspired to write this post by a question that kept popping up in my mind–“Is it possible to outgrow NaNoWriMo?”

Miraculously enough, the answer to this most pressing conundrum came to me while I was trying to draft it: no.

So there you go, folks. It’s not possible to outgrow NaNoWriMo. #themoreyouknow

VII. “Do The Thing.”

I . . . really have no clue what this was supposed to be, actually. I think it was going to be some sort of inspirational, “you can do all things you set your mind to!” kind of post, but . . . yeah. I have no clue what this is. “Do The Thing”is literally all that was written in this draft, and I’m really hoping this wasn’t some sort of vague reminder for my future self.

Aha.

VIII. “~ Books That Are Extremely Aesthetically Pleasing To The Senses (and make me want to stroke their covers whilst squealing like a Pterodactyl hatchling)”

shoutout to myself for never knowing how many numbered points I’m going to have before I start drafting, so I just slap a ~ in there and call it good. *thumbs up*

Ah yes. This particular post is a real doozy, folks. Not to alarm anyone or anything, but I first started drafting this post in April of 2017.

APRIL. OF 2017.

That was like over two years ago, you guys. TWO !!!! YEARS !!! How on earth is it even still in my draft folder? Did I really think that after even one year I was going to miraculously pick it back up and finish the thing? I’m pretty sure this draft has been eaten up by moths and neglect by now.

However, the real issue that I have with this post isn’t it’s age, but rather the fact that simply reading through it shows me just how much my writing voice has changed over the past two years. Like, when I sit down to write a blog post today, I don’t really feel like I’ve changed that much since 2017. But then I look at this post and find sentences like:

Now, this is probably a book that you have never read before. And it’s also probably a book that you’ve never even heard of before. And you might be currently finding yourself scratching your rather itchy head and thinking, “Chanda who?”

(^^WHAT EVEN WAS I TRYING TO SAY IN THAT PARAGRAPH??? ????)

and. . .

First of all, we have this delectable jacket. I mean, just look at that glorious detail! It’s all gold and beautiful, and slightly pop-uppy (#totallyaword), which is always a plus, as I like to run my fingers over pop-uppy detail, because #fun.

and. . .

(actually, I would be the happiest bean in the world if I had an endless supply of cookies and the ability to eat them all without getting sick and unhealthy, but changing the structure of every single book in existence is more of an achievable dream, obviously)

and. . .

I mean, as much as I love stripping the jackets off my books so that they’re not slipping and sliding all over the place like a soggy slug while I’m trying to read. . .

Okay. To be fair that last one still makes me laugh to this day.

BUT OH MY GOODNESS ME, YOU GUYS. What on earth was I doing? Why on earth did anyone ever read my old posts? Did I know nothing about run-on sentences? Did I just throw all knowledge of grammar and readability to the wind and call it good? I’m pretty sure I got myself drugged up on sugar and Popsicle sticks before sitting down to write or something. This is just way too painful and clunky to read, and I would like to offer copious apologies to anyone who has ever suffered through to the ends of my old posts.

Or possibly even my current posts. Because let’s be honest, guys–I don’t think I’ve really changed as much as I’d like to believe.

TALK TO ME, PEASANTS!

Well, there you have it, folks! Eight posts from my drafts folder that I’m tossing out(with MAYBE the exception of that last one, because I like to read it occasionally and gouge my eyes out with a chopstick. it’s fine. I’m fine.). There were quite a few other drafts in there that I’m throwing out, as well, but these are the more memorable selections, and therefore must be preserved in a blog post till the end of time. It’s kind of weird throwing these posts out, though, because I’m a very sentimental person, and I can’t help but have my heart squeal, “WAIT! We might be able to USE one of these later!!!!” every single time I toss a draft. To which my brain calmly responds, “Dude. Some of these have been sitting in here for years. Let it go, already.” And since I’ve finally gotten into the spring cleaning mood, I’m going to listen to my brain on this one.

. . .I think.

*sweats nervously*

But anyway, that’s enough from me, I think! Let’s hear from you!: What kinds of posts do YOU currently have lurking in your drafts folder? Do you find yourself jotting down multiple post ideas (and maybe even starting to draft some of them) but then never go back to actually write them? Do any of these posts that I’m tossing sound like something you would have liked to read here on Smudged Thoughts? (please say they all sound like garbage so I don’t feel so awkward throwing them out.) and most importantly. . .

DO YOU THINK MY BLOGGING VOICE HAS CHANGED???

And if it has, has it changed for the better? Because holy guacamole and cheddar, some of my past posts are painful to read. . . But maybe my current posts are painful to read, too. . . *begins existential crisis*

Anyway, let’s talk about ALL OF THE THINGS! down in the comments below, and as always, until next time. . .

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22 thoughts on “24 Posts and Nothing To Write”

(To be honest, I would also be the happiest bean in the world if I had the ability to eat an endless supply of cookies without getting sick and unhealthy.)

Going through your own old writing is so hilariously painful, because even if someone else can see it and go, ‘hey, it’s not that bad!’, you’re always going, ‘NO HOW DID I WRITE THAT.’ I think I was sixteen when I finally managed to write a story that I can still read to this day without cringing. That felt really good.

I love the title of that last blog post you shared. Pterodactyl hatchlings are a nice image.

(Oh my goodness, right??? It would be the absolute most wonderful thing.)

UGH, YES. I definitely agree. XD It’s definitely painful, but it’s also kind of fun to see how far we’ve come and how much further we have the potential to go with our writing today. OH MY WORD!!! Becky, that is awesome!! I think the first thing that I could read without cringing was . . . . ummm . . . . maybe my novella, Gretel? I think it was my novella. That’s the first thing I truly let other people read, anyway.

MEEP, thank you so much! XD I kind of had an obsession with Pterodactyls for a while. . . Haven’t really grown out of it. XD

I have 5 drafts for my Rosedale Arts blog, and 17 drafts for two side blogs. I think I need to work on blogging more…I should probably have a draft clean-out post for Rosedale Arts because some of those have been sitting around for a long time. I feel like this is a continuation of the Spring Cleaning Tag. xD

OOOOH! Okay, but five drafts that you might actually do something with is a LOT better than 24 you’ll never write. And 17 drafts is climbing up there, so you’re not too far behind me. XD (and same about blogging. I feel so far behind on it…)

OOOH! DO IT! I’d absolutely love to read it!!! And it kinda is. XD Apparently I like cleaning my writing more than my room. XD

I think only two of them might ever get written. xD But a third one is the beginning of a mystery I attempted. I copied it to an actual story file, but otherwise, I probably need to delete the other posts…Later…
My Gethsemane blog has 12 drafts right now and I really need to write through all of it! Maybe I need to set myself a schedule or something… xD

You know, I probably will make a post before I clean out the Rosedale drafts.

Honestly, I admire you HAVING drafts and multiple post ideas. I never have drafts. I don’t even know what I’m going to post from week to week until it’s a few days due. Then I slap a post together and hope it’s good. #Professional

But this was so fun! The world without writers one is a TERRIFYING thought. o.O No, I can’t imagine either! But seriously, that whole opening was really epicly written! It was like the opening of a horror story. Because a world without writers WOULD be a terrifying, horrific world.

And goodness, I hope you can’t outgrow NaNo. I’ve been doing it for 9 years straight now so…yeah. XD I don’t think it’s possible to outgrow it, nope!

This whole thing was so much fun. I ALWAYS love your posts. ALL OF THEM! You make me smile every single time!

OKAY BUT LIKE SAME. XD I mean, I HAVE these drafts, yes, but like . . . I never write them. XD So they just sit there collecting dust while I’m off writing something completely different and more amusing for myself. XD But oh man, I would have NEVER guessed that you wrote your posts just a few days before they’re published??? They are so good! Please teach me your ways. XD

ASDFGHJKLASDFGHJKL OH MY GOODNESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. <333 That means the literal world to me, you have no idea…. And yeah, I'm kind of proud with how that little beginning turned out, but I couldn't really use it because it didn't go anywhere after that. XD But ah well. I guess it shall be preserved in this post forevermore. XD

WHAT!!! You've been doing NaNo for 9 years??? DUDE! That's AMAZING!!! And yeah, I'm really happy I discovered you can't. Because there's nothing quite like NaNo… It gave me the confidence I needed to really jump-start my writing career. I'm not sure I'd be where I am today if I hadn't found out about it and participated…

MEEP!!! Christine, you are literally the kindest bean!! Thank you SO much!!! This comment absolutely made my day! <333

“I can give the general low-down for this most pressing topic with nothing more than a simple list:
moist
supper
flatulence
And there you go. Those are all the words I despise. Particularly that last one, if I’m being totally honest.
(also, I’m just realizing as I’m editing through this, but somehow I listed those in a very disturbing chronological order. please ignore that. XD)”
This…everything about this is soo true. Especially the last part XD
Congrats on having the guts to show us your drafts!! I’m…not even sure if I would have that amount of pluck to do something like that, lol XD I’d be like “AHHH EXPOSING MY FAILED POSTS TO THE WORLD?? NO THANK YOUU.” It’s interesting to look back at the drafts I had on my previous blog. I had 16 drafts, and one of them sums up everything about me and blogs perfectly: the title is “Things I have Learned Since the Start of This Blog” and the content? To quote: “bladebladebla.” That’s literally the only thing I had written. XD WHYY IS THIS DRAFT EVEN IN EXISTENCE!

Oh goodness. XD The fact that I actually published that is astonishing. XD But I mean WE SPEAK ONLY THE TRUTH ON THIS HERE BLOG, SO. XD *dies*

Aww, thank you!!! I mean, these technically aren’t FAILED posts, just things that I no longer want to write. There was a time when I wanted to, but I just never got around to them… So…I guess they are kind of failures. XD BUT OH MY GOODNESS. DUDE. THAT POST SOUNDS LIKE ABSOLUTE PERFECTION AND I NEED IT IMMEDIATELY.. XD Especially if it’s literally just a post that says “bladebladebla” over and over and over again. XD

“In order to poop out good stuff, you need to be eating good stuff.”
OMG this whole post actually made me laugh! (because usually when I type that I laugh, I’m just smiling but OMG this is greattt)
YOU ARE HILARIOUS. This post just strengthened my resolve to continue bothering you in the comments section ;)

OH MY GOODNESS, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! <333 You have NO clue how much this means to me!!! And ASDFGHJKL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND COMMENTING!!! I would absolutely LOVE for you to stick around!! (I know I'm like a whole month late in responding to comments, but life has been kinda crazy lately. Ah, Summer. XD)\

YOU’RE TOTALLY WELCOME!! you so deserve it though! haha I will! I’d love to become friends with you- I have a feeling we’d get along really well XD and maybe *takes a wild leap* I’ll see you on my blog sometime so we can chat!

Wow, this was very entertaining :) I feel like perhaps your writing style has changed a small amount, I mean you still have the recognizable sense of humor, but I think you know how to convey it much more clearly now. :)

ASDFGHJKL KIRSTEN. THANK YOU, YOU WONDERFUL BEAN. <3333 It's kind of a relief that my humor is still the same, though! I would hate to give that up, even if it did mean I was becoming a better writer. XD

😂😂😂😂 You think YOU’RE bad. I have about forty drafts in my folder right now. Aheh. Yeah. And most of those only have titles… I guess I thought that’s what everyone does?? I just jot down a title as a kind of reminder. Once I actually start writing, I usually finish the post and publish/schedule it. I guess I’m weird…

If I’m being honest, I would totally love to see a post with that last title. Like, please? Kenize? XD

It’s so interesting seeing how your writing voice changes though, I agree! Especially in novel writing. I’ve looked back on some of my old writing from when I was like 12 (and legitimately trying to sound good), and…WOW it was bad. Like, smash your face in mashed sweet potatoes bad. XD Hopefully I’ve improved since then. I can say with certainty that your writing has fabulously improved. It always makes me smile. ^___^

Oh goodness. XD It was actually a really interesting post, filled with not only many book recs, but also very floofy covers… Perhaps I shall have to retry that one someday. XD

OH MY GOODNESS, SAME!! My first novel was written when I was like 12-13ish, and it was….yeah, it was bad. XD But I was trying so hard to make it good, poor thing. XD (Ooh! If your current novel has anything to say about it, I can 100% say that you HAVE improved!! Though I guess I haven’t read the smash-your-face-in-sweet-mashed-potatoes story…. XD)

LAKSSDFGKLJA:SDLFKJSDLGKJSD OH MY WORD, MADELINE!!! <333 You are so kind, I can't…

About The Bean

Kenzie is a writer, blogger, full-time dreamer, and daughter of the King. With books in her hands and dragons in her pockets, her mission is to sprinkle the universe with pixie dust and whimsy. (and also cookies. all of the cookies.)

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Copyright 2016-2020 Mackenzie Keene, all rights reserved. GIFS are taken from GIPHY. Images are either mine or taken from Unsplash. Short stories, poems, snippets, and posts are completely my own (unless it’s a guest post or some other random thing, obviously) and will therefore result in massive pitchfork stabbings if you try and steal them. *slaps hand* NO.